if i were so, who Page 3 The inspectors education came up call, by peter secretary trumps campling (again) then? Page 9 Review, page 17

SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 | EDITION 28 Craig Shepheard / Demotix/Demotix/Press Association Images

Exclusive The day that one in six schools fell silent Education disrupted in up to 3,800 schools across the country as ballot boxes moved in Many forced to close over safeguarding concerns as strangers enter schools to vote Continued on page 2

Most transparent government ever? Ann McGauran hunts the DfE’s secret papers

See page 7 2 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 EDITION 28 NEWS One in six schools ‘fell silent’ yesterday SCHOOLS WEEK TEAM JOHN DICKENS 400 pupils free school meals. Instead they had Editor: Laura McInerney @JOHNDICKENSSW to shut a hall and 90 pupils forfeited a hot Head designer: Nicky Phillips meal for a packed lunch. Schools across the country were turned into “It’s just irrational… to disrupt the welfare Designer: Rob Galt makeshift polling stations yesterday as the and learning of children when there are other Sub editor: Jill Craven nation cast its votes to decide the closest places available. We are long past the day election in decades. where it’s acceptable to close a school,” Ms Senior reporter: Sophie Scott Figures from 66 of the 152 local authorities Williamson told Schools Week. Senior reporter: Ann McGauran reveal that at least 1,673 schools, most of them Despite finding alternative sites, her pleas primary, had to close or partially close as the were rebuffed by Horsham District Council. Senior reporter: John Dickens ballot boxes moved in. Returning officer Tom Crowley told Senior reporter: Freddie Whittaker However, the true number of schools parents: “Elections take place on a single affected is likely to be much higher: if day no more than once a year and therefore Reporter: Billy Camden our average was expanded to include the the level of disruption to schools is minimal Photographer: Ellis O’Brien authorities that did not respond to our when judged against the importance of survey, it would mean more than 3,800 schools number of schools used in the 2010 election, supporting the democratic process.” Cartoonist: Stan Dupp – nearly 18 per cent of the country’s 21,452 – 11 were using fewer this time round. Electoral Commission guidelines state: Financials: Helen Neilly were disrupted. In Nottingham just two schools were used “Schools that are publicly funded, including Returning officers, responsible for as polling stations, compared with 32 in 2010. academies and free schools, may be used Victoria Boyle overseeing elections in each constituency, Nottingham City Council said it wanted as polling stations free of charge, and the Sales manager: Hannah Smith can force any state-funded school to become a to avoid closures because they impacted on legislation allows you to require a room in polling station. the attainment of pupils and could cause such schools for use as a polling station.” Sales administrator: Jasmin Fergus-Aghamiri But it is up to the headteacher and chair of unexpected childcare costs and loss of pay for Guidance from the National Association Administration: Frances Ogefere Dell governors if the school closes. parents and carers. of Head Teachers says that staff could be Many prefer to stay open, but face huge Plymouth has also slashed the number of made to attend and lost education time could Contributors: David Blunkett disruption with parts of the building and schools used as polling stations from more be made up at the end or beginning of the Baroness Williams of Crosby some entrances cordoned off for voters. than 50 in the last general election to 29 so “as academic year. The use of schools as polling stations many children as possible Lord Baker of Dorking has led to concerns over safeguarding, are in school on election Chris Weadon particularly in primary schools, where day”. Shona Crichton strangers are free to enter the school. But the discretion Colin Richards Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of remains with Andrew Old the Association of School and College Leaders the authority. Of Brin Best and Sophie Craven (pictured), said: “This usually means the Birmingham’s 460 polling whole of the school has to be closed to avoid stations, 216 were in several unaccompanied adults being around schools – nearly 50 per Managing director: Shane Mann young children. cent. Conversely, Poole and And tweet us your thoughts @schoolsweek or “It would be helpful if all local authorities North East Lincolnshire with the hashtag #schoolsweek were to examine their use of schools as had none. polling stations and see if they can find Billingshurst Primary subscribe alternative centres that do not involve young School, in Horsham, For an annual subscription to Schools Week for people losing a day’s education.” West Sussex, had to just £50 visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk and click Authorities must review their list of polling partially close despite on ‘subscribe’ at the top of the page. stations every five years and Mr Trobe fierce opposition from www.schoolsweek.co.uk (pictured) said many schools have requested the headteacher Helen or call 020 8123 4778 to subscribe to be dropped. Williamson and parents. Our investigation shows that local Ms Williamson said the ADVERTISE WITH US authorities are listening to concerns. Of the polling impacted her legal 14 authorities that provided figures for the obligation to offer nearly If you are interested in placing a product or job advert in a future edition please click on the ‘advertise’ link at the top of the page on schoolsweek.co.uk or contact: Harrow primary pulls all the right strings E: [email protected] T: 020 81234 778 SOPHIE SCOTT Disclaimer @SOPH_E_SCOTT it would be used as a polling station for Schools Week is owned and published by Lsect Ltd. The views yesterday’s election. expressed within the publication are those of the authors named, and are not necessarily those of Schools Week, Lsect Closing schools to make way for polling Musicians were already booked to Ltd or any of its employees. While we try to ensure that the stations not only disrupts daily classes, make the journey to Harrow and Pia information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. but also impacts on additional learning – Luck (pictured), the Sinfonia’s education The design of the printed newspaper and of the website is copyright of Lsect Ltd and material from the newspaper as one educational scheme realised when manager, said: “They are such a lovely and should not be reproduced without prior permission. If you it planned a classical concert for key stage 1 enthusiastic group, it was a shame when wish to reproduce an article from either the printed paper or the website, both the article’s author and Schools Week pupils at a Harrow school. we thought we would have to cancel.” must be referenced (to not do so, would be an infringement on copyright). City of London Sinfonia runs workshops Fortunately Harrow Music Hub came to Lsect Ltd is not responsible for the content of any external over three weeks with primary schools in the rescue and organised for the City of internet sites linked to. Please address any complaints to the editor. We are fully Harrow and Tower Hamlets, London, to London Sinfonia to play at Harrow Arts committed to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint which cannot be resolved by open pupils’ eyes to a different world of Centre instead. the editor, write to the Press Complaints Commission, Halton music. Ms Luck added: “It is important for the House, 22—23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD Each three-week session ends with a children to see the end result of their work concert in which the children watch an and to enjoy the concert.” Learning & Skills Events, orchestra play, many for the first time, and About 90 children are expected from Consultancy and Training Ltd the youngsters perform a song they have Weald, with their parents. Hopefully Ljova’s Bagel on the Malecon 161-165 Greenwich High Road written during the workshops. A class from nearby Moriah Jewish Day and Crosstown went down well with all the London SE10 8JA However, a concert at Weald Primary School, which has been taking part in the youngsters and their families yesterday, T: 020 8123 4778 E: [email protected] School in Harrow – planned for May 7 – project alongside Weald, also planned to be providing much-needed relief from faced cancellation when the school realised at the concert. election madness. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 3 NEWS The morning after: who came up trumps?

david laws nicky morgan sam gyimah Graham Stuart Role: Role: Education Role: Role: Minister secretary Parliamentary Chair of for schools under secretary the education Constituency: for childcare and committee Constituency: Loughborough education Yeovil Constituency: Constituency: East Surrey Beverley and Odds of retaining seat: 1/4 Holderness Odds: 1/4 CLOSEST RIVAL: Odds: 1/100 Odds: 1/100 Matthew O’Callaghan, CLOSEST RIVAL: Marcus Fysh, Labour, 11/4 CLOSEST RIVAL: Helena Windsor, UKIP, CLOSEST RIVAL: Margaret Pinder, Conservative, 3/1 20/1 Labour, 25/1 and Gary Shores, UKIP, 25/1

nick boles tristram hunt nick gibb edward timpson Role: Role: Shadow Role: Minister for education secretary Minister for Role: skills and equality school reform Parliamentary Constituency: under secretary Constituency: Stoke-on-Trent Constituency: for children and Grantham Central Bognor Regis families and Stamford and Littlehampton Constituency: Crewe and Odds: 1/66 Nantwich Odds: 1/100 CLOSEST RIVAL: Odds: 1/100 Marietta King, : Mick Harold, UKIP, CLOSEST RIVAL: 14/1 CLOSEST RIVAL: Graham Jones, UKIP, Odds: 4/6 UKIP, 22/1 7/1 CLOSEST RIVAL: Dr Adrian Heald, Labour, EVS

JOHN DICKENS equality, Sam Gyimah, childcare minister, and 1/66 on respectively. @JOHNDICKENSSW and Graham Stuart, chair of the education The juiciest contest was expected to her odds of 1/4 on reflect that she is committee, were all 1/100 to regain their be fought in children’s minister Edward probably the best-known Conservative We’ve all got to know the faces of the Westminster passes. (In other words it’s Timpson’s Crewe and Nantwich ward. The fighting a marginal. Nearest rival Matthew politicians in the education world and – if so likely, that you’d get a penny back for bookies had him as 4/6 on to retain his seat O’Callaghan, Labour, was at 11/4. you listen to the bookies – we’re going to be spending a quid.) (majority 6,046) with Labour rival Adrian Mr Laws was also 1/4 on to reclaim his seeing a lot more of them. The bookies also liked the look of Heald not far behind at evens. seat, in Yeovil. Despite commanding a huge All the education ministers in the last school reform minister Nick Gibb’s Big guns Nicky Morgan (education 13,036 majority in 2010, his odds nosedived government were odds-on favourites to 13,063 stronghold in Bognor Regis and secretary) and David Laws (schools minister) with the apparent wane in support for the retain their seats before last night’s election, Littlehampton, and shadow education were also facing a worrying night. Liberal Democrats. Conservative rival according to bookmakers William Hill. secretary Tristram Hunt’s 5,565 majority in Ms Morgan was defending a majority Marcus Fysh was 3/1 to take the seat. Nick Boles, minister for skills and Stoke-on-Trent Central. They were 1/20 on of just 3,700 in Loughborough, although The odds were correct at noon on Wednesday GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS BLOG: VISIT SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK How we should combat teacher cyberbullying

ANN MCGAURAN of education at the Federal University move away from the incident. education community by surprise “in terms @ANNMCGAURAN of Sao Carlos, Brazil. Their article was Several students scream and laugh of how rapid the rise in it has become”. published in Research Papers in Education. throughout. During the footage, one of He said that pupils making secret School professionals need to work together Teachers who are the potential targets the onlooking students runs across the recordings on smartphones was about the to combat cyberbullying of teachers, also need to think about how to develop front of the camera and yells …”look at students “turning the tables” on teachers. say two academics who have examined a positive ethos in the classroom so all the staff, it’s a wonderful world”. “The number one motive is the sheer YouTube videos from across the globe, that a student is less likely to engage in Students near to the camera start enjoyment the pupils who make the including England. cyberbullying, the pair add. laughing in response. recordings get . . . they have a mechanism A paper by Dr Chris Kyriacou and Dr A video used in the study was made According to the paper, the recording to make themselves more powerful than Antonio Zuin shows how students can use outside a secondary school in England. raises the question of who the victims are the teacher.” social media to challenge and undermine Two students are seen fighting with each in this situation as “both the teachers and Professor Kyriacou said that lessons teacher authority. It concludes that other, with two teachers struggling to pull the students involved in the struggle were within school about cyberbullying whole-school anti-cyberbullying policies them apart. One of the students, still on likely to feel demeaned by others viewing were the best way to show that it was are required, as well as lessons in personal the ground being restrained by a teacher, the recording of their behaviour”. unacceptable. and social education (PSE) that address the is then kicked by the other student as he is The recording appears to be celebrated by It was necessary to “get the message role of bystanders during any incident. pulled away. the students as “an attack on the image of clear to all pupils that within the school Chris Kyriacou is professor of Three other teachers are then seen teachers in general”. community this type of cyberbullying of educational psychology at the University of grabbing and pushing two onlooking Professor Kyriacou described to Schools pupil on teacher, or pupil on pupil, is not a York; Dr Zuin is professor of the philosophy students who resist efforts to get them to Week how cyberbullying had taken the way of dealing with problems”. 4 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 NEWS Teacher training Data backs up head’s Ofsted fury applicants dip by JOHN DICKENS Difference in behaviour and more than 5,000 @JOHNDICKENSSW But in 28.65 per 80 cent of cases, the attainment Ofsted grade — 2015 70 Recruits to teacher training When executive headteacher Geoff Barton behaviour grade programmes are more than 5,000 down was told by an Ofsted inspector that his was better than the 60 school’s behaviour grading was limited achievement grade. on this time last year. 50 UCAS figures for April 2015 show by its low attainment grade, he Further analysis Total 40 there were 5,260 fewer people applying complained to the inspectorate. Exclusive of the 448 schools

for teacher training posts than in the analysis by Schools Week suggests he was receiving a grade Percentage 30 right to do so. 3 for attainment same month last year. Writing in the TES Mr Barton last shows that more 20 Using government projections for week revealed that an Ofsted inspector than half of them 10 initial teacher training places against said Hardwick Middle School in Bury scored a grade 2 for number of jobs advertised, Professor St Edmunds, Suffolk, could only score a behaviour. 0 -2 -1 0 1 2 John Howson, who runs job website “requires improvement” rating for pupil Mr Barton asked TeachVac, predicts some subjects will behaviour because its previous exam results the inspectors to re-evaluate their grading lays out 17 criteria that state inspectors must be particularly squeezed. had not been good enough. and made an official complaint after they follow when judging behaviour “There seems to be a shortage of His horror at this pronouncement refused to budge, but his complaint was not and safety. vacancies for physical education was one of a number of criticisms levelled upheld. They include whether pupils’ attitudes teachers. This is a subject that regularly at Ofsted in the article written to highlight Learning of the figures found bySchools to learning help or hinder their progress over-recruits on training targets.” the “devastating personal price” paid by Week, Mr Barton said: “It seems to me that and pupils’ respect for the learning Professor Chris Husbands, director headteachers at the mercy of the education there is a lack of transparency from an environment. watchdog. organisation that expects transparency However, Mr Barton rebuffed the of the Institute of Education, said But analysis by Schools Week has found from schools.” argument that the behaviour grade reflected an extra 490,000 school places were that nearly a third of schools inspected Ofsted has refused to comment attitudes to learning. needed over the next few years, which this year have scored a higher grade for specifically on Mr Barton’s claims. But a “It is this very narrow definition of what increases the demand for teachers. behaviour than attainment (see graph). spokesperson said that the watchdog does behaviour is . . . that it is about behaviour for This, mixed with the pressures on The figures cast doubt on any claims that not “have a policy that limits the judgment learning. In some schools with high grades graduate recruitment as the economy attainment levels obligate inspectors to hold on behaviour and safety because of you will see utterly compliant behaviour recovers, was a “developing crisis”. back their behaviour score. previous attainment”. and it’s not really about learning. James Darley, Teach First’s head Since January 1, 669 inspection She said: “Inspectors are guided by the “If you asked parents what they of recruitment, said applications for reports have been published for primary, school inspection handbook and would, mean by behaviour this is not what they the graduate teacher training secondary, all-through and special schools, when judging behaviour and safety, would say.” programme were down this year by according to data collected with the help of consider the extent to which pupils’ Hardwick Middle School will close in 2016 about 20 per cent. “But the flip side is Watchsted.com. attitudes to learning help or hinder their as Bury moves toward a wholly two-tier Of those, 70.46 per cent were given the progress in lessons.” school system. that quality is up.” same grades for attainment and behaviour. Ofsted’s School Inspection Handbook Trust ‘can’t cope’ with high pupil numbers

SOPHIE SCOTT @SOPH_E_SCOTT said: “This is a very reduction in admission numbers now rested good illustration of with the regional schools’ commissioner’s Aspirations Academies Trust is planning to what is wrong with the office and was not expected until after reduce pupil numbers in two of its secondary system at the moment. the election. schools, despite concerns from local about a If academies want to be The Department for Education said this was lack of school places. difficult about things, a decision for the school. The trust runs three secondary schools – they can play the Mr Kenning said the banding would only Banbury Academy in Oxfordshire, Rivers system. apply when the school was oversubscribed. Academy in west London, and Magna “With the banding “We are trying to make sure national Academy in Poole – and has applied for issue, there isn’t enough averages are represented. It gives a real its planned admissions numbers (PAN) at information about comprehensive mix. Rivers is outstanding for Banbury and Rivers to be decreased from how it is going to be the first time and we expect admissions to get September 2016. operated. They have said to a very high level.” At Rivers in west London, the trust wants it will be across Mr Kenning also defended the decision to to reduce the 215 pupils admitted per year three [ability] reduce pupil numbers at both schools. to 180, making a total capacity of 1,100. The bands, but have “Rivers hasn’t been oversubscribed but if it trust claims that this is an “educationally and not said if that does it will be hard to manage. At the moment, economically efficient school size”. will be equally 180 in a PAN is a good number. Any more In Oxfordshire, the county council is distributed. than that and it is going to be a bit tight in concerned that Banbury Academy’s funding “I think Hounslow. agreement is for 1,953 pupils but the school probably “When we took Banbury on three years ago said it only admits 180 pupils per year, puttig it the most its PAN was 1,900. But we have only had 1,100 at a maximum capacity of 1,260 pupils. damaging since then. It is physically impossible to get The council is also concerned about the factor is the more than that in the buildings. introduction of banding tests – to be taken by deliberate “Education has changed since the PAN was pupils before entry – which may mean some restriction of agreed, and when we took over the school we pupils are rejected on the basis of literacy the size of the were not aware of the massive growth issues.” scores. school when He said that the trust had offered Both Rivers and Banbury have studio AAT chief executive Stephen Kenning said there is a Oxfordshire County Council the option of schools attached to their sites, each with 300 both schools were unable to cope with high shortage of places in building another school on its Banbury site. pupils, and the trust says this has reduced numbers of pupils. the area.” capacity in the main school. Former schools adjudicator Alan Parker The trust said that a decision about the MEDIA PARTNER

10-12 JUNE, ICC, BIRMINGHAM

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SOME OF OUR SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Featuring inspiring and motivating high profile speakers from the world of education, Sir Ken Robinson Erica Ariel Fox Steve Munby business and beyond. Inspiring Leadership 2015 provides a rare opportunity to see and hear from some of the world’s most highly acclaimed experts face-to-face. The conference hosts a stellar line-up of keynote speakers including: Sir Ken Robinson, Erica Ariel Fox, Steve Munby, Pak Tee Ng, Baroness Susan Greenfield and Bill Strickland.

Pak Tee Ng Baroness Susan Bill Strickland AND A SERIES OF FIRST-RATE MASTERCLASSES FOCUSSING ON MOTIVATIONAL THEMES: Greenfield

JILL MCMILLAN, .RUSSELL HOBBY, General ANDY BUCK, Managing Director of Jill McMillan Secretary NAHT Director, Leadership Matters Associates

The transformational power Connected leadership Seven habits of highly effective schools of trust Great leaders rarely rely solely on their formal authority. They Following his successful masterclass last year, Andy’s Why do so many schools seem to suffer from a chronic use it when they must, but they also persuade, negotiate, session this year is inspired by Stephen Covey’s ‘The 7 absence of trust? High turnover, low job satisfaction, poor deal, nag and charm.... Arguably, the ability to lead without habits of highly effective people’. He will introduce seven morale: these are the symptoms of Trust Deficit Disease formal authority becomes even more important when we key approaches that the evidence suggests have a positive which can plague organisations. And yet when trust work beyond departmental and institutional boundaries. impact on pupil outcomes, including: the evidence behind exists at the heart of a system, it can lead to rapid and Based on studies of outstanding leaders, this session will try Carol Dweck’s growth mindset theory, Robin Alexander’s transformational change. to map the skills and attributes of effective influencers. It work on dialogic teaching; Bergmann and Sams ideas on What can leaders do to help nurture trust? Based on real- produces a reassuringly humane and down to earth model of the flipped classroom; Viviane Robinson’s leadership meta- life examples of what happens in schools when trust-building leadership. It will be especially relevant to middle and system analysis; and finally, how the best schools manage change for is prioritised and what it enables as a result leaders. sustainable impact.

BRIAN LIGHTMAN, General JAY ALTMAN, CEO, FirstLine KEVAN COLLINS, Chief Secretary, ASCL and Leora Schools Executive, Education Cruddas, Director of Policy, Endowment Foundation ASCL

Stepping up to lead a self-improving system – School leadership strategies for Harnessing evidence to secure the emerging role of school and system leaders improving schools professional trust Imagine replacing the relentless cycle of centrally driven This session will offer different perspectives on school ‘Trust arrives on foot and departs on horseback’ change which has had mixed results over the past 30 years improvement strategies and associated leadership skills. Building and securing trust sits at the heart of everything and which has too often been poorly planned and overly What are helpful skills and mindsets for leaders turning we want to achieve as teachers and school leaders. We will bureaucratic by a system which would champion professional around failing schools? Are these different for leaders examine the latest findings from the Education Endowment learning; where curriculum change would be introduced in a starting up a new school? Are there essential skills that all Foundation (EEF) working with over 700,000 children managed way, based on evidence rather than political leaders must have or can leaders leverage their individual schools in England. Considering international and English whims; where inspections would focus on outcomes strengths and build a complementary team? Participants findings we will re-visit our models of teaching and school rather than processes; and in which schools and colleges will actively workshop a framework built around the skills improvement to consider how evidence can inform practice would be properly financed by a national fair funding and mindsets that make up culture leadership, instructional and help to improve pupil outcomes and establish new levels formula. leadership and general leadership and management. of professional trust and knowledge Limited delegate places are available on a first come first served basis. For more information and to book your place visit: www.inspiringleadership.org BROUGHT TO YOU BY SPONSORSHIP AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 01527 878761 TO DISCUSS. 6 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 NEWS NAHT GETS ITS PRIORITIES IN ORDER

FREDDIE WHITTAKER Russell Hobby @FCDWHITTAKER EXCELLENCE

ational free school meal data sharing, IS INDIVIDUAL real-terms increases in education Nfunding, money for mental health An atomised education system, support and reviews of “excessive” testing where schools are the only agents, will all be campaign issues for the National competing in a market of provision is not Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in the a healthy system. It is not a realistic vision. coming months. Schools succeed when they play to their The union’s annual conference in Liverpool strengths in a well-balanced system. I last weekend passed 30 motions that will strongly believe in a school-led system. shape policy over the next year, which could We have been doing just that. But I do not be critical for the union as it strives to get its believe in a schools-only system. voice heard by a new government. This does not mean centralised A motion on mental health addressed the prescription. It is possible to combine high “fundamental role that mental health plays in levels of autonomy within wider structures children’s success and that poor mental health of support and co-ordination. is a significant barrier to learning”, and called Yet the promise of autonomy and freedom on the government to increase the funding to feels unfulfilled. It is not just poverty that raise awareness and to support children and limits schools but bureaucracy and heavy young people with mental health issues. handed measurement too. Proposing the motion, Julie Simpson, It is hard to make the most of curriculum headteacher of St Martin’s C of E primary freedom when so much of what you do is school in Liskeard, Cornwall, reminded constrained by the exam syllabus. It is hard delegates that it was only a year ago that the to develop new approaches to teaching conference had paid tribute to Ann Maguire, when the inspection team has its own ideas. a teacher stabbed to death by a pupil in her It is hard to plot a long-term course when Leeds secondary school. the measures change every year. She also drew a link between excessive Looking back on the past five years I think testing and damage to children’s mental The association will also spend the next year “greater acknowledgement in its judgment of we will find that, far from delegating power and emotional wellbeing, and said the campaigning for a national funding formula leadership to strategic, long-term planning and authority to school leaders, the Secretary government’s obsession with levels and and a real-term increases to education and ingenuity”. of State has in fact delegated power to the grades was a “national scandal”. funding to avoid a “budget crisis” in schools. Proposing a motion that lamented the Chief Inspector of Schools. “We need to have the training and support Conference overwhelmingly passed the “continuing attempts by the political parties Schools must now spend too long to recognise poor mental health in children at motion relating to finances after Plymouth to use testing of grammar and maths at key guessing what the inspector wants instead of an early age to prevent escalation to a serious branch life member Vince Burke warned stage 2 as a political football”, Lancashire thinking about what their pupils need. mental health condition.” funding increases were needed to cover rising branch member Tony Roberts described the I have come to feel that one of the most The frequency of testing was a running costs. “If the current situation continues, with “industrial scale” of political meddling under pernicious aspects of our inspection regime theme across several motions, with one income frozen and outgoings rising, it will the coalition government. is the “outstanding” grade. declaring that the amount of national testing mean the bankruptcy of our schools.” “We have had change, meddling or We have handed the definition of given to primary children was “excessive A motion calling for a “national system of idiosyncratic intervention by secretaries of excellence to our regulator rather than and…not good for them”. The motion called data sharing” for information on free school state for decades, but not on the industrial owning it as profession. on the NAHT executive to commission a meal entitlement passed after Nicky Gillhespy, scale of the past five years, largely led by Excellence – to which all schools should study into the effects of testing on this age business manager of Cheam Fields Primary Michael Gove and his rosy vision of the 1950s aspire – is individual and subjective. It is group. School in Surrey, and Alan Doyle, business grammar school curriculum.” not captured by a checklist or framework. Another motion called for the NAHT’s manager at Mount Primary School in Wirral, In the wake of the motions, the NAHT will The outstanding grade tames the mavericks. “vigorous” opposition to “any assessment spoke about the negative impact on pupil also campaign to have disqualification by When it underpins so many other system that is harmful to children” while premium funding when parents failed to association legislation repealed, to remedy opportunities and initiatives it introduces a another from the SEND committee called on register for meals. the “dire situation” of pay for school leaders dangerous fragility to the system.” the Department for Education to “urgently” Debate about Ofsted led to motions calling and for a database of governors barred from review its approach to national benchmarking on the association to resist moves to sack service. Russell Hobby, and assessment for pupils working headteachers solely based on the outcomes of Go to www.schoolsweek.co.uk for a full NAHT general secretary significantly below national norms. inspections and for any future system to give list of conference motions. SCHOOLS ARE THE A&E DEPARTMENTS OF COMMUNITIES

Family life – as we know in this room – education spending when the other sources of authority. Our story was We embedded those values in the environment has never been under more threat than support for families are disappearing or have one that you will all and the curriculum. Vulnerable children re- it is today. already gone? recognise, I know. engaged with their learning. Damaged families Public services slashed, two incomes not The school is the centre of the community, So we decided we re-engaged with the school. enough to make ends meet, children losing out never has that been more true than today. weren’t going to be We employed new teachers and retained as life gets in the way. The school is the family that every family controlled by the story the ones who shared our values, putting the And where do families turn when times are needs and values, and we take on that burden anymore and that we interests, the welfare and the learning of the tough? They turn to us. just as keenly as we do with our own flesh and needed to take charge children above all else. These days we’re not just educating children, blood. of it. We created our own family at school.” we’re supporting mums and dads and putting For many years, my school, Water Hall We focused on neighbourhoods back together. Primary, was labelled a failing school. values. Schools are the A&E departments of Our story was one of repeated intervention communities. We’re the first and last point of and year upon year of doing more of the same. Tony Draper, contact for families. Our story was being written for us by bullying NAHT president What use is a vague promise to protect and inept people from the DfE and the local SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 7

DfE lets us look at register August last year and February this year, they the information could be sent as a pdf but this were not entered in the DfE register of interests option was later withdrawn. as the donation was made after the register’s The document – written on three sheets of board members’ interest creation. of A4 paper – was eventually viewed in the Other notable interests include director of DfE’s head office, Sanctuary Buildings, in ANN MCGAURAN Paul Kissack, director human resources Simon strategy Tom Shinner’s post as a Royal Navy Westminster. @ANNMCGAURAN Fryer, non-executive Marion Plant and chief Reserve Lieutenant, and Theodore Agnew and It is unclear why the information could not scientific adviser Tim Leunig. David Meller’s connections to Policy Exchange be sent electronically. The Department for Education’s register of While the £15,000 donations from Mr - the think tank founded by Michael Gove. A version of the document has now been board members’ interests is not available on its Marshall were declared by Mr Laws in the Schools Week was originally told by the uploaded to www.schoolsweek.co.uk. website and is more than a year out of date. 2014/15 register of MPs’ financial interests in holder of official access to the document that During an investigation regarding donations to the election campaigns of education ministers, Schools Week asked to see the THE REGISTER

register of interests the DfE is legally required Declarations of interest by DfE Board Members as at April 2014: Education, director; Eureka Charitable Trust, trustee; Sequoia Trust, trustee; to hold that describe any paid-for employment Chris Wormald – Permanent Secretary CentreForum, trustee. or unremunerated interests of DfE board Nil return Jim O’Neill – non-executive board member members. Tom Jeffery – former director general of children, young people and Remunerated directorships: paid speaker, organised by Chartwell Partners families directorate Miscellaneous and unremunerated directorships: Shine, Sutton Trust, Teach Schools Week was told that the register was Family member interests: wife is assistant director of children’s services, East for All, Piggybank Ltd. only available for viewing by appointment Sussex County Council David Meller – non-executive board member at the Department for Education offices in Andrew McCully – director general for schools infrastructure and Remunerated directorships: Julius Meller, CS Holdings Westminster – and a reporter had to copy its funding Miscellaneous and unremunerated directorships: The Hertswood Academy, contents by hand. Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests: Skillforce, trustee the Harefield Academy, The Bushey Academy, Elstree UTC, Watford UTC. Shona Dunn – director general, education standards Presidents Club, trustee; Greenhouse, trustee; The Meller Educational Trust, The initial investigation into campaign Nil return director; Original Giving, non-executive director; Policy Exchange, trustee; funds revealed that more than £15,000 of Simon Judge – director, finance and commercial Access Inspiration, trustee; chair Grenada Schools Ltd, Conservative Friends donations were made by lead non-executive Family member interests: sister (Emma Judge) involved in project How of Israel Ltd, The Tel Aviv University Trust, The British Friends of the Jaffa director of the DfE Paul Marshall to Yeovil to Thrive , supporting resilience in Herfordshire school, which received Institute, National Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network. Liberal Democrat’s 2015 election campaigns. £600,000 funding via endowment originally funded by DfE, in 2012. Theodore Agnew – former non-executive board member Janette Durbin – former director, human resources Remunerated directorships: Burnley Group Partnership, partner; Somerton Yoevil has been the Liberal Democrat seat of Nil return. Capital LLP, partner; Flovate Ltd, director; Accident and Credit Services Ltd, schools minister David Law. Mr Marshall is also Tom Shinner – director of strategy director; RQ Capital Ltd, director. chair of trustees for academy sponsor Ark. Other remunerated employment: Royal Navy Reserve Lieutenant. Miscellaneous and unremunerated directorships: Policy Exchange, trustee; Appointment complete, our viewing of the Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests: Governor (member and Inspiration Trust, academy sponsor. register last week revealed that it had not been director), Greenwich Free School. Dame Sue John – former non-executive board member Peter Lauener – chief executive Education Funding Agency Remunerated directorships: Lampton School Academy Trust, headteacher updated since April 2014. It therefore did not Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests: Educators International, (three days a week); Challenge Partnership, Engine of Improvement head include four board members who had joined trustee. (one day a week) since that date. Paul Marshall – lead non-executive board member Miscellaneous and unremunerated directorships: London Leadership These members are: director general of Remunerated directorships: Marshall Wace Asset Management Ltd, MWAM Strategy, director; Brilliant Club, chair of trustees; Future Leaders (project children’s services and departmental strategy UK Ltd, MWAM NA Ltd, Marshall Wace LLP – Partner. company board), trustee; Teaching Leaders, trustee; Royal Shakespeare Miscellaneous and unremunerated interests: Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) Education Advisory Group, member. FREE SCHOOL BLAMES EFA FOR EARLY CLOSURE FREDDIE WHITTAKER @FCDWHITTAKER

More than 20 pupils face moving schools halfway through their GCSE studies after a free school in Stockport announced its closure is moving forward by a year. Stockport Technical School, a 14 to 19 free school sponsored by Stockport College that opened in an office block in September 2013, announced in March that it would close in 2016, citing disappointing recruitment levels caused by the lack of a permanent building. But principal Philippa Ollerhead this week confirmed that the school would now close at the end of 2014/15, forcing 22 year focus was on the “wellbeing and progression 10 pupils to transfer to other secondary of every student”. Wellington House, Stockport, the free school’s temporary site schools to complete their GCSEs and other “We are working proactively with the qualifications. Ms Ollerhead said that while the former Stockport College on day releases. Stockport Technical School to ensure all Ms Ollerhead (pictured) said that the failure Hillcrest Grammar School site in Stockport She said the situation was a “source of students have been placed in local schools. of the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to was identified as a potential base, low pupil disappointment”, adding: “We have worked “Stockport College has not failed in its find the school a home for its final year had numbers meant the large building was “not a incredibly hard as a school. We have done duty as a sponsor. Issues outside the scope sparked the decision to close early. financially viable option”. all the right things. This is not the doing of of the college, such as the failure to secure “It’s not unusual for a free school to open When asked whether the EFA was entirely anybody employed by the school.” a permanent home for Stockport Technical without a permanent building, but our to blame, she said: “It’s not fair for me to The news comes after a difficult 18 months School and the politics of local secondary frustration has been that they have not say, but obviously Stockport College is our for the school’s sponsor, Stockport College, schools, have contributed to the situation.” been able to find us a permanent building sponsor and they have had a myriad of which was graded as inadequate by Ofsted in The Department for Education said that a in two years, and it has had an impact on problems themselves. That hasn’t helped, but October 2013 and subsequently warned that it permanent location was found for the school recruitment. they have done the best they can.” was not improving quickly enough. in July 2014 with the approval of the principal “It is simple to understand why no Ms Ollerhead said the school was working Simon Andrews, the college’s third and the Trust, but the Trust made a decision one would want to send their child to a closely with Stockport Council and secondary principal since January 2014, said he was not to proceed. school without a permanent building, but headteachers in the town to find places for “very much aware of the college’s chequered The DfE are now working with the council bureaucracy means it has been two years, and the 22 displaced pupils, with an option for past” and said it was “making big strides”. But to ensure alternative school places are found it’s too long to wait.” those studying vocational courses to study at in the wake of the closure announcement his for all pupils to aid a smooth transition. 8 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 NEWS

EDITOR’S COMMENT @miss_mcinerney | [email protected]

Election days are weird for schools. If intentions as you dance around the issue to perfect for next week’s assembly? curriculum reforms still to bed in, whoever you’re closed for the day, you sit at home avoid arcane penalties that you’re sure are On top of all that there’s the aching wait is the next secretary of state is going to a bit out of sorts, thinking that the shops laid down in some circular or other about to find out who will be the next education need more than passion. An iron stomach must inevitably be on bank holiday opinions that teachers can or cannot have secretary. “Just as long as it’s not Gove,” said and a steady hand is definitely preferred. opening hours. If you’re in school with about such things. more head teachers than I cared to count Still, whoever the newbie is, and whatever a polling station you spend the whole All that’s already enough, and then at NAHT’s annual conference last weekend. their style, the brilliant thing about young day shushing children and praying that there’s the problem of the night time. Do Yet others have said they miss his passion people is that they will carry on as they were it doesn’t rain so you can eat butties on you stay up and watch, knowing that you and they fear education will be overlooked – learning, growing, improving. Education the playground (given that the hall is out must marshall year 3’s Friday afternoon PE in the next government. secretaries can change laws and budgets of order). And if, like most secondary session which is bad enough even when In some respects, a hands-off politician but despite decades of meddling they’ve yet teachers, you’re in school and the children you’re not sleep-deprived, or do you do the might not be a bad thing. With a looming to stop young people’s growth. There’s a are allowed to speak, you’ll spend the day sensible thing and miss out on a little piece teacher shortage, tightening school lesson in that for us all. being relentlessly asked about your voting of history the story of which might just be budgets, and the GCSE, A level and

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SOPHIE SCOTT FREDDIE WHITTAKER ANN MCGAURAN JOHN DICKENS BILLY CAMDEN T: 020 3051 4289 T: 020 3432 1392 T:0203 051 4288 T:0203 051 4286 T: 020 3051 4287 @SOPH_E_SCOTT @FCDWHITTAKER @ANNMCGAURAN @JOHNDICKENSSW @BILLYCAMDEN [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 9 EXPERTS: ‘If I were education secretary (again)...’

local programmes, particularly in the most A light-touch basic curriculum would DAVID BLUNKETT deprived parts of the country. This could apply to all schools, ensuring that the values possibly be done by allowing local authorities we espouse are inculcated. Citizenship Education secretary 1997-2001 to raise, from local taxation, an earmarked education would be a benchmark for Ofsted amount specifically for early years. in whether a school received a good or an I would, as outlined in my paper of summer outstanding designation. 2014, want to put the glue back into the Given the enormous drop in teacher system. We should encourage schools to training take-up at secondary level, teachers partner with one another to learn and share must be kept motivated by extending best practices, by demonstrating how schools bursaries, providing other incentives and “I would want to put the glue back” behave towards one another and their local stepping up high-quality continuing communities. We need to lead by example. professional development and progression. I would, therefore, initiate the posts of I would argue that the whole of the education, oney is not the sole salvation in level, reversing the freeze for two-thirds of independent director of school standards skills and lifelong learning agenda should be achieving quality education for schools and most colleges and local authorities (DSS) across the country. Each DSS would under one secretary of state and, therefore, Mall children. However, cutting the from April of this year. have a remit relevant to all schools, whatever one department: a department that offered money available can have a devastating impact I would resist a 10 per cent cut in real terms their status, in a light-touch approach with support rather than overbearing control from on those schools that have been making the over the coming parliament and seek to “intervention in inverse proportion to success”. the centre and that valued a broad-based most progress, reaching out and engaging reverse the 25 per cent reduction in funding Schools would be encouraged to continue education over ideology and dogma. with families and for whom the pupil premium for the foundation stage. The early years are taking responsibility for their own success was a lifeline at a time of retrenchment. crucial to providing that foundation on which or failure, controlling their own destiny, That is why I would insist that not only world-class leadership and excellent teaching experimentation and innovation. However, David Blunkett is author of The Blunkett schools but the whole of the education system can be built — hence the need to restore a there would be common requirements Tapes: My Life in the Bear Pit retain funding in real terms at the present semblance of what was the original Sure Start on key aspects. (Bloomsbury, 2006)

econdary schools have become an on headteachers rather than a team of increasingly diverse and rather chaotic senior teachers narrows the concept of Sgathering. It seems to be held together BARONESS accountability. (more or less) by Ofsted and the examination There also seem to be wide differences system, with huge emphasis on league tables in educational standards among academy and exam grades to the detriment of creativity WILLIAMS chains as well as among community schools and imagination. The result is the imposing — indeed, there is not much awareness of the of great stress on youngsters in the later OF CROSBY school’s relation to the community it belongs secondary years. to. That would also need to be addressed. Education secretary, 1976–1979 Maintained education has ceased to There would be much to do, but few jobs in be enjoyable beyond primary school. I government are as important, or as rewarding, would address the marginalisation of as education secretary: it is a role that requires local government in education — good energy, imagination, and a commitment to local education authorities had much to improving the life chances of all our children, contribute, not least the support and advice “I would make sense of regardless of background. of teacher colleagues. In addition I would seek to build bridges between the profession and the Department for Education: they are secondary schools” Shirley Williams is author of Climbing currently pretty strained, and the reliance the Bookshelves (Virago, 2009)

start at 14 and continue to 19. We have student-led restaurant, BR6, in February. It has made a start with university technical colleges 60 students and expects to enrol more than (UTCs) — 30 open and 30 preparing to open 120 this September. — that already have 6,700 students, rising to I would like to see more co-operation LORD BAKER 15,000 next year and, when full, 36,000. between the 4,000 academies, working in I believe that students can learn by doing clusters of, say, two or three secondary as well as studying. The object is to train schools alongside a UTC and a career OF DORKING “intelligent hands”, a phrase borrowed from college. This would secure a more suitable Education secretary 1986-89 the Industrial Revolution. In UTCs students education for many students and make spend two days a week designing, making and significant cost savings. working in teams on projects. UTCs and career colleges provide A university and local employers plan and clear pathways of success just as implement the technical curriculum, and compelling as three A-levels and a come in to help with teaching, passing university degree. Indeed, over a working their practical experience on to the students. lifetime, many technical students will earn ‘I would elevate the status The UTC target is to have no young person as much as their contemporaries who who is not in education, employment, or chose the university route. of technical education” training. So far they have met it: no student has joined the ranks of the unemployed on Lord Baker is co-founder of the Baker leaving their UTC. Dearing Educational Trust and author would secure all-party support to launch 3 and 4. The institutions in our country Eighteen months ago we launched career of 14-18: A New Vision for Secondary a ten-year programme to spread technical today will not be able to do that without a colleges. They follow the same model as UTCs Education (Bloomsbury, 2013) Ieducation throughout the whole education fundamental reform. but extend it into non-STEM subjects such as system. In 1945 we had 300 technical schools: these catering, hospitality, creative arts, professional Contributions are taken from “If I were One of the biggest challenges for the next were killed by snobbery and buried by the services, health and social care. Secretary of State for Education”, edited by government is to fill the skills gap: by 2020 comprehensive movement. A huge mistake Three are now open; as an indication of David James and published by Pearson for The Sunday Times/Wellington College Festival of we will need 830,000 STEM graduates and that Germany did not make. rapid progress the Bromley Career College in Education, in association with Summerhouse 450,000 technicians and engineers at levels The key is that technical education should Hospitality, Food and Enterprise launched its Education. 10 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 EXPERTS CHRIS SHONA WEADON CHRICTON Research associate at Education Datalab Speech and language therapist and professional adviser to The Communication Trust

Would you trust a human All talk and lots of action to mark your work? Supporting all pupils to develop their am I introducing new vocabulary and what’s speech, language and communication skills the best way to teach it? What strategies can You might say no to a driverless car or getting feedback, they are practising the is everybody’s responsibility and can be a I use in the lesson to develop pupils’ spoken a pilotless plane, but it is time to trust correct spelling. In an era when mathematical part of every lesson language skills? How can I plan-in time and computers to do your marking and scientific literacy are key, such small space that pupils may need to process and improvements in performance could be very peech, language and communication understand new information that they’re uestion: A boy climbs slowly to the beneficial. needs, or SLCN, is the most common presented with? top of a slide and then slides down. At The same process of trial, error, feedback Sspecial educational need within Also, think about your classroom talk. How Qwhich point will his kinetic energy be and correction is available from the open- state-funded primary schools. But, while the much is involved? What’s the balance between a maximum? source computer-aided mathematics identification of SLCN has increased by about teacher talk and pupil talk? Is there time and One student wrote as his answer: assessment system Stack, developed for 70 per cent in recent years, many pupils – space for pupil-pupil interaction and small When the speed is greatest – which is at the Moodle by Chris Sangwin at Loughborough particularly at secondary school – are still not group work, as well as adult-pupil interaction? lowest point in the swing cycle. University. Stack not only knows that the identified at all. You also need to think about your own The response was marked as incorrect, and derivative of your answer should be equal Too often pupils with SLCN are missed or actions. The way you model speech, language the feedback given to the student was this: to the expression that you were asked to their needs are misinterpreted as a behaviour and communication skills will make a This question is about a child on a slide not difficulty, a problem with learning, or an difference to the children you teach. a swing. emotional, social or mental health need. What is remarkable about this feedback is It will make Supporting children and young people to that a computer generated it. develop speech, language and communication Too often Computers can mark pretty much anything; teachers more acute skills is essential. from open-ended text responses to algebraic It’s a central life skill at the core of business pupils with equations. So why do we still expect teachers observers of the and society yet, in the UK, more than one to mark using a model developed before the million young people – that’s two to three in SLCN are missed first industrial revolution, let alone before the kinds of mistakes every classroom – have some form of long- second? term and persistent SLCN that can affect them or their needs First, computers used to be very bad at students make early, severely and for life. marking. Pretty much all you could trust Spoken language impacts on young people’s are misinterpreted them to mark was multiple-choice questions. attainment, behaviour, social skills and A sensible student answers multiple-choice integrate, but also shows you what the emotional development because these skills So, think about how you are modelling questions in reverse. You check the answers derivative of your (wrong) answer would be. allow pupils to learn, understand rules and communication to your class. Do you show for plausibility before reading the question. Not many maths teachers would go that far! consequences, and to understand their own them how to use the language for different You select and verify and discount distractors, You are told if you forget your constant and other people’s emotions. things? Different communication skills are and often get the right answer for the wrong of integration, and, in case you think this Although there is much focus on SLCN needed when you negotiate, debate, problem reasons. Worse, you may even remember the could lead to sloppiness, you can penalise a at primary school, a significant number of solve, form an argument, share an opinion, distractors as the right answers! We certainly student for his or her errant constant while still secondary pupils are being misidentified as seek clarification, work together, plan, wouldn’t want technology to drive what is allowing some credit for finally supplying it. having some other kind of SEN or no need evaluate... assessed and how it is assessed. The good Finally, there is a perception that auto- at all. Teachers often report a lack of resources If your school isn’t already involved, news is that now you can throw away your marking will make teachers less aware of the to support this. consider taking part in No Pens Day multiple-choice tests, with your marking. mistakes their learners are making, when quite A transition report by the Better Wednesday for the way it focuses everyone Second, computers used to be very bad at the reverse is true. To set up and maintain Communication Research Programme in your school to think solely about the giving feedback. Two examples should suffice auto-marking systems you need a deep highlighted that despite 3 per cent of importance of spoken language. Eighty per to put this bad record straight. understanding of formative processes, of how seven year olds in year 2 being identified cent of the schools that took part last year Consider this question from the Open and why students make mistakes. Interaction with SLCN as a primary need, by year 11 this reported that the event successfully raised University’s PMatch system, available as a with auto-marking systems will make teachers reduced to just 0.6 per cent. awareness of SLCN. plug-in for Moodle: more acute observers of the kinds of mistakes The Communication Trust therefore has Supporting speech, language and If the distance between two electrically that students make, which can only improve recently launched a secondary progression communication doesn’t necessarily mean charged particles is doubled, what happens to their teaching. tool to help schools check if pupils are on track doing something different, it can just mean the electric force between them? So let’s not pretend we are climbing into with expected levels around speech, language bringing it to the forefront and considering its And this answer: driverless cars or pilotless planes with auto- and communication for their age. importance in every classroom, school The force is deceased by a factor of four. marking. The teacher is very much present Teachers have also expressed a lack of and setting. If you were marking, you would probably in auto-marking systems, watching the dials, confidence in knowing how to support The Communication Trust is a correct the spelling if you spotted it – unless ready to take over and guide us in to a safe children and young people with SLCN. With consortium of more than 50 not-for-profit you were feeling uncharitable, in which case landing. this in mind, how can you ensure that you’re organisations with expertise in speech, you would simply put an angry red cross by it. supporting your pupils’ development in the language and communication. Using PMatch, the infinitely patient computer Chris Weadon is founder of No More right way? www.thecommunicationtrust.org.uk notifies the student politely that he or she Marking Ltd, a company that uses First, think about it as part of everyday For more information on No has made a spelling mistake and asks him comparative judgment to assess planning. Language and communication are a Pens Day Wednesday, go to: www. or her to have another go before submitting work more accurately than traditional part of every lesson. thecommunicationtrust.org.uk/projects/ an answer. So, not only are your students marking techniques When planning, it can be helpful to ask: no-pens-day-wednesday/ SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 11 EXPERT

two from our partner secondary school). All Nash that “smaller governing bodies are had a major say in the appointment, though likely to be more cohesive and dynamic”. COLIN for legal reasons only “full” governors were We do accept that all governors should have involved the final interviews. This full skills and experience but we want to draw involvement took place before the required on far more than the skills and experience RICHARDS reconstitution of our governing body, of human resource, project and financial Chair of governors of a Cumbrian secondary which takes effect from September. management. We believe strongly in the school and a national leader of governance We are aware of the DfE’s requirements importance of community engagement but for reconstituting the governing body don’t accept the DfE’s view that “it is not GOVERNORS’ CORNER of a community school: a minimum of the role of governing bodies to provide this seven governors including at least two through their membership”. parent governors, one LA governor, the This is in conflict with the government’s headteacher, one staff governor and “statutory guidance”, which does not appear Small is not always beautiful an indeterminate number of co-opted to be “guidance” at all. The DfE will tell governors. you that “statutory guidance sets out what However, the steer provided by the schools and local authorities must do to One governing body is challenging though it will impact on all of these. guidance is towards smaller governing comply with the law”. “statutory guidance” on governing What has happened, is that we have bodies rather than larger, and towards But it also says: “You should follow the body size. It wants to reflect its large just appointed a new headteacher for restricting the number of co-opted guidance unless you have a very good and diverse community so, come our community’s school. Not the local governors. The model presented seems reason not to.” September, there will be 12 co-opted to be predicated on the assumption that So we’re taking the DfE at its word. We governors on board . . . schools are businesses, that they produce have a very good reason for having a large We have a very easily quantifiable outputs and that they governing body. Our community has a s governors of a community school should be governed accordingly – on the democratic right to oversee the education proud of its status as a strategic good reason for lines of a chief executive serving a board of provided for its children and, as our Aresource for the local authority, we directors. We firmly reject that view. community is large and diverse, so should have just fulfilled our most important single having a large Our practice goes against both the spirit our governing body be. function. No, not to conduct the school with and the letter of the current guidance When our “new” governing body is a view to promoting high standards governing body advocating these smaller streamlined convened in September it will meet of educational achievement at the school, governing bodies that, education minister statutory requirements but it will also as laid down in section 21(2) of the John Nash believes, need to focus include 12 co-opted governors to reflect the Education Act 2002, though it will authority’s school, not the DfE’s school, not ruthlessly on the core strategic functions diversity that we value. contribute to that end. Nor is it directly any academy chain’s school – OUR school. and avoid getting distracted by more It will support and challenge the about what the Department for Education By “we” I mean ALL of us: five peripheral matters. headteacher we have just appointed, it will (DfE) sees as our core strategic functions community, four local authority, four But because our community is diverse engage with its “core strategic functions” of “strategic direction”, “holding the parent and two staff governors, with seven and because we value that diversity’s but it will also act as a guardian of the whole headteacher to account” or “overseeing associate members (two senior students, influence on our school we don’t go along community’s interest in the education and the financial performance of the school”, three senior leadership team members and with the recently posited wisdom from well-being of our young people. HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED YET? ONLY £50 FOR ONE YEAR SUBSCRIBERS TO SCHOOLS WEEK RECEIVE A PRINTED NEWSPAPER EVERY FRIDAY DURING TERM-TIME (37 EDITIONS PER ANNUM), AND AN EMAILED DIGITAL EDITION ON FRIDAY MORNING.

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14 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 PROFILE

KATE DETHRIDGE

ANN MCGAURAN was a real homebird – so what possessed me to think that @ANNMCGAURAN Durham was a good idea? But it was the making of me, “It’s important to without a doubt.” She stayed put. Kate Dethridge, primary head and national leader of Her father had been a pilot in the Second World War. “He education was someone who was also quite aspirational. We all had a remember what great work ethic from mum and dad.” ate Dethridge became a dame at the start of this year – The youngest of four, she says she had a “fairly sheltered but she was nearly the last person to find out. upbringing”. She went to an all-girls’ school, which she loved. K For starters, the vital letter from the Cabinet Office it feels like to be “When you are surrounded by nuns who do everything, it went to her old house where, luckily, the new resident gives you a fabulous vision of what women are capable of.” thought it looked significant enough – it said “important” on She says she “wasn’t naturally clever” but always worked the envelope – to pass on to Dame Kate’s husband, Rod. a bad learner” hard. “I was very organised and I wanted to be in control He, however, left it in his briefcase for two weeks before of things.” When she got to the sixth form, one teacher, Mr finally handing it over to her last December. “I thought he communicator shine through. Where did that strength Collett, stood out. “He was a classics teacher and I really liked said it’s from the tax office and I said ‘If they want any more of character come from? “My mum . . . she was incredibly his lessons. He was a good bloke with a sense of humour.” money…’ capable. She worked only in the home. She never had the There have been no regrets about that move into teaching. “That is my husband! If it had been the other way round I confidence to get a job out of the home. She was given a fellowship from the National College of would have opened it. But no!” “In some ways she was a great influence because I thought School Leaders in 2011, and part of that funded a leadership Rod, a teacher in the independent sector, was instrumental as I was growing up I mustn’t be like that. I’ve got to be a course. She opted to do hers at the London Business School. in her becoming a teacher. The couple met at Durham little more confident and have a go at doing things. I have “I was surrounded by amazing industrialists and people University where he was in the year above. a brother, Mike, who is 12 years older than me. He was the who ran oilfields in Russia – all sorts of interesting people, He later applied to do a PGCE “to play another year’s first of our family to go off to university and he gave me the including an arms dealer. university sport”, Kate says, “and because I was living with aspiration.” “Working with them I suddenly thought that I am the him and a few other people who were doing PGCEs, I just She was incredibly homesick for her Essex home during luckiest person in the world. You are all chasing satisfaction fell into it. I said I’ll do it for a year or so, because it gives me her first term at university. “I had a lot of letters from him though money and profit, and I’ve got this most amazing the chance to decide what I really want to do. I still haven’t saying you have to get on with it because it’s important and it job. So many of them were slightly envious of my levels of decided what I really want to do.” will make a difference.” satisfaction. Open and warm, her abilities as a leader and She put in to transfer to a place at King’s in London. “I “Although I’d always thought I kind of sleepwalked into SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 15

IT’S A PERSONAL THING

What was your favourite childhood toy? A Pelham puppet of Ermintrude, the Magic Roundabout cow. I’ve still got it.

Who were or are your mentors, and why? My husband Rod. Over the past 33 years he’s been the most extraordinary support, offering encouragement, advice and admonishment. I couldn’t have achieved anything without him. Also Roy Blatchford, an HMI who has helped me to challenge long-held orthodoxies and believe that things can and will get better for children. And Jenny Hill, my dear friend and deputy head for 17 years. She got me through some incredibly tough times and can make me laugh like almost no one else can.

What are the two best pieces of advice you’d pass on? Don’t ever forget that the children are what’s important. We are servants of the community. Ask yourself what decision you would make if you weren’t scared.

What are the first things you would save from a fire (after the people, of course)? Family photos and letters from my parents who are sadly no longer with me. They gave me the most perfect childhood and really valued education because they saw it as the route to improving life chances. It’s no Curriculum Vitae coincidence that three out of four of their children went into education. Education 1967-1974 St Joseph’s primary school, How would you spend an ideal day? Upminster, Essex With my family in the most beautiful place in the world, 1974-1981 Brentwood Ursuline Convent, Essex Aghada in Cork, Ireland, walking on unspoilt beaches – 1981-1985 Durham University, Trevelyan College, then meeting relatives for a catch-up over a cuppa. Clockwise from top: With Rod during university days BA Hons (geography); PGCE Kate with sons Will (left) and Tom Employment KATE DETHRIDGE Kate at primary school 1985-1986 Ardleigh Green Infants School, Hornchurch, Essex – class teacher teaching, I don’t think it was as simple as that. There was as a teaching school. “We act as the hub. It’s about offering something that attracted me into working with people and expertise and support. For example, we will talk to other 1986-1988 Basildon Primary School, Berkshire – influencing them. schools locally, ask them what sort of staff development they class teacher “I came away from that course thinking I was so lucky. I would like and we will organise and run that for them.” 1988-1998 Spurcroft Primary School, Thatcham, haven’t got a new Mercedes every year, but I’m much more As a member of Ofsted’s headteacher reference group, Berkshire – head of key stage 1/head of key stage 2/ content than any of the people I met.” she feeds in views from staff and highlight issues or Which role has she enjoyed the most? She says it would concerns. She welcomes the move to bring inspection deputy head have to be her current one at Churchend School, a primary in-house. “They have asked people to apply to become 1998-present Churchend School, Reading, academy in Reading, “because I’ve got such an emotional inspectors again and I understand the bar is quite high to Berkshire – head attachment to it”. ensure the right high calibre. Other roles She says that if she accepted that she had any great talent, it “They are going to be looked after more closely now by would be for picking good staff. “Of course if you do that then Ofsted and I think the new framework, certainly around 2010-current National Education Trust the job becomes so much easier.” the inspection of good schools, sounds quite exciting associate director Churchend has high aspirations for the children because it is going to be more of a partnership. Which is 2012-current Member of Ofsted’s headteacher academically. “People here recognise that education is a great what we all want really.” reference group door to better things. We recognise we have a responsibility With so many roles, how does she find time to relax? “I to help children find things they are really good at and find see lots of the children.” Tom is 23 and working in London 2012-current Vice chair of the bureaucracy things they are going to have a passion for, hopefully for the and Will is 20 and studying biology at university. The reference group at the Department for Education rest of their lives.” family has a place in Ireland, too, and “we do a bit of 2014-current Chair of the DfE panel writing new She strongly believes that there has to be a curriculum that travelling and I love cooking”. standards for teaching assistants appeals to everyone. “My former deputy head and I went to a It’s clear she relishes all her jobs, within and outside regional question time and she was petrified of being Churchend. “It’s a real privilege to be part of something 2014-current Member of the north London and asked something. There are children who feel that every bigger than one’s own school. I meet lots of excellent south central regional schools commissioners’ lesson of every day. It’s so important we remember what it practitioners. headteacher boards feels like to be a bad learner or an under-confident learner. “But last week I taught a science lesson for someone 2014 Made a Dame in the New Year’s honours list It’s about how we can adapt the curriculum to support those and I got as much excitement out of that as of going to an children.” Ofsted meeting. No two days are ever the same. You could for services to education. Churchend, judged outstanding by Ofsted, is designated never say you are bored in a school.” 16 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 REVIEWS TOP BLOGS OF THE WEEK

To view individual blogs visit www.schoolsweek.co.uk/reviews BOOK REVIEW

unfamiliar class. Read the post to find out if Educating the More Able On the other hand, the lack of consistent his audacity is rewarded. Student: what works and why referencing in the text for the authors’ assertions is frustrating and likely to prove In Praise of Prep Time Authors: Martin Stephen and Ian Warwick especially taxing for academics. One is often By @AnthonyRadice1 Publisher: Sage Publications left to wonder whether a statement is backed ISBN-10: 1473907950 up by a piece of published research, or if it is An English teacher, who has in the past ISBN-13: 978-1473907959 simply the personal view of the authors. The worked at a boarding school, describes Reviewers: Brin Best and Sophie bibliography doesn’t help much either, as it the practice of prep time. He explains how Craven, co-authors of Gifted & Talented is rather selective and omits several of the he has seen it turn into a period of online Coordinator’s Handbook (Optimus major works in gifted and talented education. chat rather than silent study. “If such silent Publishing) Teachers are likely to be surprised that the periods are firmly established, we can also authors refuse to deal with the troublesome help our pupils to develop the good habit of issues of identification and terminology. getting on with the work they have been set ver the past two decades UK It is impossible to break down concerns promptly, not leaving it too late on the night governments have sought to address that provision for more able pupils is elitist Our reviewer of the week is before it is due. And perhaps, even more Othe needs of more able pupils without some debate about which pupils fall Andrew Old, teacher and blogger importantly, we can establish the principle through a range of national programmes into the target group, and the language that @oldandrewuk of finishing work at work, so that there is that have cost tens of millions of pounds. needs to be used when discussing them. time to spend with family in the evening: a However, these efforts have not been Further, the authors are in danger of healthy work-life balance.” systematic or far devaluing the validity of reaching enough and, their book if they select case Do you want a learning revolution? Everything comes naturally as a consequence, more studies for inclusion without By @greg_ashman By Quirkyteacher able pupils are still being first ensuring that some sold short in schools. form of standardisation has A teacher reflects on the times he has A primary teacher argues that, particularly Former independent taken place (ie, the “more encountered attempts to revolutionise in primary schools, the extent to which it is school head Martin able pupils” in the Hungarian teaching and learning by removing the walls assumed that children can be left to learn Stephen and gifted and case study may not be of the classroom. The first he recalls from his naturally is over-estimated. The teaching talented specialist Ian equivalent to those studied own childhood, and the last from a recent of basic skills and the expectation of self- Warwick are potentially elsewhere). newspaper story. The same sequence of control are both neglected under the well placed to address Many teachers will events happens every time. He explains why mistaken belief that children will naturally this crisis, and their surely also be frustrated it doesn’t work and how the walls always go acquire the relevant capacities as they get book aims to showcase that the authors focus back up again – and asks why people keep older. The author contrasts this with how good practice around exclusively on what they call trying. other cultures directly guide children to the world. Although it “academic intelligence” develop adult dispositions. “I have always is aimed at a very wide (they never define this). Can Character Be Taught? wondered why, in the West, we think it is audience – including Schools have made great By @katie_s_ashford natural to have physically mature humans academics and progress with inclusion with the brains of children.” policymakers – its in recent years, and any I have to declare an interest in this one; I am primary audience programme that overlooks the (unpaid) editor of the Labour Teachers Interview Questions appears to be teachers. high ability right across the formal website where this appears. This posts grasps By @readwritereach There are four main sections. Following curriculum and beyond it, is likely to be seen with the latest craze among politicians: three chapters setting out the big picture by many parents as a step backwards. character education. The author argues that Another tale of an interview, this time by and their methodology (the authors In the concluding chapters, Stephen and while schools cannot avoid contributing to a teacher recalling the interrogation when essentially have included a range of case Warwick offer their often radical proposals the formation of their students’ characters, applying for a PGCE place some years ago. studies as examples of best practice), the to address the plight of the most able. much of what passes for good character The interviewer did not hesitate to ask bulk of the book is made up of a further 13 Unfortunately, these are not particularly only reflects good habits. She suggests difficult questions. However, the account chapters of case studies under the headings realistic and are unlikely to be adopted by that schools can, and should, teach good of how they imitated a defiant 15-year-old of “Techniques” and “Countries”, though many. In places, the tone when referring habits through their discipline systems. boy, right down to the swearing, makes the these end up as a rather confusing mix of to more able pupils from non-traditional Punishments can be more useful than interview sound terrifying. the two. Nevertheless, there are numerous backgrounds borders on the patronising, teaching in this respect. interesting and illuminating examples for something that could easily alienate readers. The fetish of marking readers at every level, with many important Overall, this is an ambitious and thought- Progress By @LearningSpy lessons for UK educators. The book ends with provoking book with a well-intentioned By @MrHistoire three synoptic chapters organised under the remit. However, because it contains so little In his latest bout of iconoclasm. consultant umbrella of “Future directions”. school-level interpretation of the research Toby French, a history teacher, describes and writer, David Didau challenges the The presentation style falls half-way presented to help teachers better meet the a recent job interview. Having taught a rituals required by marking policies in this between a guide for teachers and an needs of more able pupils, we are not sure lesson about the Arab-Israeli conflict to country. Do they all actually serve a clear academic review. However, there is little in that it will bring about the change that the an unfamiliar class of year 10s, he is asked purpose that justifies the effort? Do they the way of down-to-earth advice for teachers authors rightly wish for. how he knows the students he’s taught for value classroom performance over actual in the form of checklists, do’s and don’ts, 25 minutes have made progress. Bravely, learning? “Teachers probably do need to tables and other tools to help make step NEXT WEEK: he admits that for all the positive things mark some work, if only so they understand changes in classroom practice. Instead, Transforming Teacher he could say about his lesson, he does not the process of assessment, but I don’t think any teachers reading the case studies are Education believe that anybody can demonstrate the process needs to be nearly so onerous or largely left to interpret the findings for By Viv Ellis and Jane genuine progress, rather than observing widespread. Marking is only a proxy for what themselves, something that most simply do McNicholl performance, in such a short time with an we actually want.“ not have time to do. Reviewed by Christine Counsell SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 17

PLAY REVIEW

a range of motivations – doing their best as a community The Inspectors Call by Peter Campling for pupils in a down-at-heel setting. We’re given a clear Theatro Technis in Camden, London, sense of the real difficulties this school faces. The writer’s long career as a teacher and a school until May 16 leader has left him well placed to convey how easy it is for national politics and shifting policies to mess life up for schools. But he and the talented theatre he Inspectors Call artfully portrays a school company, No Notice Productions, successfully present heading towards crisis. Its head, George Smith, is the passion and the small glories that light up schools Tpassionate about making his pupils’ lives better across the country every day. – but the truth is that he and his urban comprehensive The play addresses some fundamental questions, have seen better days. including what is education really for? Have schools, George has taken up yoga, but he needs more than that as George says, turned into exam factories with to help him handle a ghastly build-up of “challenges”. He high staff burnout? has sacked his homophobic, creationist science teacher, The Inspectors Call cast Photograph: Simon Annand Is one student’s poor attendance and predicted three who then threatened the school with the “wrath of God” GCSEs a failure of the school – or an achievement? Is at the last appeal. “The play shows the her beautiful singing – “she’d not sung a note before she A year 7 mum wants to discuss the transition came to this school” George says – worth anything curriculum and he keeps being told his maths results to the inspectors? need to improve. His list of concerns continues to grow passion and the small The actors work beautifully as an ensemble. Joe as the academy chains circle and a new free school opens Cushley as George is brilliant at showing a battered, down the road. His personal life is looking pretty shaky sometimes cynical but always committed head who too – his wife is off with her new man. Ominously, he glories that light up really cares about all his pupils. Penelope Diamond is thinks he has the support of the governors. Can things excellent as the director of children’s services. Gbolahan get any worse? Obisesan stands out as Winston. Gary Merry’s direction Hell, yes. The call from the inspectors that George schools every day” is first rate too. spends every day anticipating and ruminating about On this stage the stories are truly personal. Each finally comes. The inspectors are on the way… character is brought vividly to life and every word has Written by former headteacher and ASCL council New Play in the Offies, the Off West End theatre awards. the ring of truth. The message is passionately political. member Peter Campling, it is a funny and entertaining But it is also unflinching as it draws us into the Highly recommended. production that has just received a nomination for Best concerns of the head and his staff. They are – albeit with For tickets go to www.theinspectorscall.co.uk A week in Westminster Your regular guide to what’s going on in central government

party who wanted her to remain in responded to punctually. The zanier news Loughborough fighting for votes in is that this is less good than the 99 per thursday: friday: her marginal seat (see page 2). She cent rate they’ve been maintaining over It all began when they told us that the Ofqual published its list of upcoming nevertheless made the trek to Liverpool the past year. legally required register was open for educational events that staff members are and delivered a characteristically The DfE also stayed above the 85 per inspection “by appointment at any of the speaking or presenting at. Wherever “nil” accomplished (if dull) speech. cent timeliness requirement - inching departmental offices”. is, its residents have a lot of upcoming over the line at 87 per cent. What register? The one outlining visits. There is one sting in the tale, though. the interests of board members at the Away from Westminster, Labour’s tuesday: Ofsted may be quick but they’re not open. Department for Education. Which offices? Tristram Hunt was giving a speech at the As news emerged that civil servants Only one in five requests was granted ANY, apparently. National Association of Head Teachers’ were badly behaving elsewhere – with in full, making the office the harshest Week in Westminster was chuffed. We conference (see page 6). Looking sleep- Department for Health civil servants on transparency across all government love the DfE. Of course we wanted to go deprived during a later interview he told off for playing ping-pong on departments - by a long shot. The DfE give them a hug and look at their snazzy, managed to say “um” 373 times in 20 ministerial desks, and the Department came in at 66 per cent, a distinctly un-emailable paperwork. minutes. (Ok, we didn’t actually count.) for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs average score. We were in. To be fair, though, it suggests a busy taking trips to the zoo – we realised that Thus it was that on Thursday Schools campaign trail and we do like to see in the past few weeks we’ve been passed Ultimately, Week in Westminster is Week reporter Ann McGauran was politicians earning their keep so we’ll let to the DfE’s emergency voicemail service apathetic about whichever party takes despatched to the DfE’s Sanctuary him off. This time. a few times. the governmental reins next, and we wish Buildings (see page 7). The ‘sanctuary’ Trip to Hogwarts, anyone? them all luck. But if they could be a bit name is no pun, by the way. The glass more transparent we’ll love them even atrium is replete with glossy yucca plants Sunday: more and perhaps we’ll even send them a and a glass elevator zooms towards the On Sunday schools minister Michael Wednesday: Schools Week mug. The lucky devils. ceiling. Think Willy Wonka, with laptops. Laws hid his tiredness well and told the On the final day of the 2010-15 coalition Alas, despite protestations that the NAHT conference that no negotiations government, we decided to check the Here’s to the next crowd! register could not be emailed, it did not had yet been held about education “red most recent transparency statistics and, come on parchment or papyrus. It was lines” with the opposition. Education dun dun dunnn, there’s good news! presented on three sheets of paper. See secretary Nicky Morgan fought First, Ofsted romps home with 97 per CHECK OUT @SCHOOLSWEEK FOR LIVE page 7 for the full list. complaints from her constituency cent of freedom of information requests TWEETS OF WESTMINSTER EVENTS 18 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 School Bulletin Charity’s FGM programme expands

Young people in London speak out The King Edward VI Grammar School team, against FGM winners of the CyberCenturion competition programme teaching pupils about Care Information Centre. Sixty of the cases Cyber enthusiasts win challenge the dangers of female genital were girls under 18. Amutilation (FGM) has been rolled out Vanessa Diakides, who runs the team of tech-savvy Essex students They all became “cyber-experts” at a in Manchester and Birmingham. programme, says: “It is essential to teach have won a cyber-security challenge fictional video games company “targeted” The free initiative, created by FGM people about FGM from such a young age Aat Bletchley Park, the war-time by rival businesses. Their task was to protect specialist charity, FORWARD, started in because it is primary school children who intelligence centre used to crack Nazi codes customer data and intellectual property London last May and is the first of its kind in are most at risk. They need to know about and ciphers. against hackers. UK schools. the support available to help them and to A group from King Edward VI Grammar KEGS’ engineering coordinator Penny Open to both primary and secondary know what to do if they are concerned about School (KEGS) headed to the historic site, Bunting says the win was a “really proud schools, it teaches girls and boys as young their own health or the health of someone where Alan Turing cracked the Enigma code, moment. They took an early lead on the as nine about the physical realities of FGM they care about.” to compete under the watchful eyes of cyber day of the final, but had fallen back later on using age-appropriate teaching methods. The scheme will be expanded to other experts in the first CyberCenturion challenge. so it came as a real surprise that they were A total of 3,963 FGM cases in the UK cities in the future. Eight teams of 12 to 18-year-old made it announced as overall winners.” have been identified since data began to be Visit www.forwarduk.org.uk/ or email to the final, which marked the end of nine Visit cybersecuritychallenge.org.uk/ to collected in September 2014, according to [email protected] to months of intense competition. enter CyberCenturion 2016 the latest figures from the Health and Social book a session

Young carers and how schools can help FEATURED Serving soldiers help to remember n awards-based programme Great War offering help to young carers who Ajuggle their school life and caring duties has been launched following a successful pilot. Open to all schools in England, the Young Carers in Schools scheme offers step-by- The soldier equipment used during the OP step guidance, practical tools and training REFLECT presentations opportunities for pupils. oldiers are heading to classrooms to It was tested in 16 areas across the help pupils to commemorate the First country, with at least five schools from SWorld War in a scheme run by the within each area chosen to pilot the British Army. scheme. Fifteen bronze, silver and gold As part of the free OP REFLECT, two recognition awards were handed out. or three serving soldiers will speak to Stockport Academy received a gold award secondary school and sixth-form pupils for their work with 14-year-old Shanaida about how their recent military operations

Ahmed. Gold award winners from compare to the experiences of officers 100 Shanaida has been a carer for her two Stockport Academy. Students years ago. Shanaida Ahmed (left) and Alan siblings and grandmother for as long as Bradbury with tutor Suzanne Fox Captain Ash Edwards, who runs the she can remember, but is still making West Midlands OP REFLECT office, says: “outstanding progress” academically and help to reduce the average 48 school days impact on their learning, wellbeing “Because we have lost that generation has a 100 per cent attendance record. She a year that young carers miss or cut short and life chances.” who were in the First World War — and credits her teachers’ support with her because of their responsibilities. The scheme The launch comes as a survey by the we now have children who didn’t have personal and school life. is funded with grants from the Queen’s Trust Association of Teachers and Lecturers grandparents during those times — it The academy’s designated safeguarding and Lottery Fund. (ATL) found that 90 per cent of staff say is important not to lose touch with the and child protection officer, Suzanne Fox, Gail Scott-Spicer, chief executive of the they have received no training on how to lessons that were learned and the sacrifices says that Shanaida knows that if she ever Carers Trust, says that schools play “a vital support young carers. that were made.” struggled to keep up with her homework role” in a young carer’s life, although many ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted He says lessons can be tailored to suit — “not that she has ever missed handing teachers are unaware that some pupils care says the union welcomes the Young Carers curriculum and student needs. a piece of homework in on time in three for relatives. in Schools programme, which it has The content sat naturally with history years” — that staff would understand and “On average young carers will miss half featured as “Campaign of the Month” on but could be used in English literature, help her to catch up in school. a day of school each fortnight as a result of the union’s Safer Schools network website. art, geography and psychology. The Led by Carers Trust and The Children’s their caring role, so the steps schools take to Visit youngcarersinschools.wordpress. programme is due to run until 2019. Society, it is hoped the new programme will identify and support them can have a huge com/ to sign up Visit www.army.mod.uk/training_ education/25813.aspx to sign up SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 19 MOVERS & SHAKERS Your weekly guide to who’s new and who’s leaving

nthony Seldon is leaving Julie Robinson has taken over as the Wellington College after 10 years new general secretary at the Independent Aas the school’s 13th headmaster to Schools Council, the first former school become vice-chancellor of the University headteacher to lead the organisation. of Buckingham, which his father Arthur For eight years she was head of Seldon helped to found 40 years ago. Vinehall Preparatory School, East Sussex, Sir Anthony says he has done and before that, Ardingly College Junior “everything [he] wanted to do” at the School, West Sussex. Berkshire independent school, including Most recently, Ms Robinson has pioneering the teaching of wellbeing worked for the Independent Association and happiness, the teaching of multiple of Prep Schools (IAPS) as education and intelligences and opening two schools in training director. China. She says that in her new role she wants “I love the students, the staff, the parents to “remove the stereotype” that surrounds and the whole Wellington community fee-paying schools. and I will miss everything about it. I’ll miss “My aim — and you can guess how long

being part of a go-ahead and exciting this is going to take me — is to help people Anthony Seldon Julie Robinson Laura Turner institution — but the good thing is, I am outside independent schools appreciate going to a new one.” the diversity within our sector and help Castle School, County Durham. “I want to focus on completing the The political historian, author and them to see just how different some of Ms Turner, who is also an inspector for plans for our building, oversee the commentator on education has written these schools are.” the Independent Schools Inspectorate, changes to the curriculum and make sure or edited more than 35 books, including The 47-year-old has worked in was head of pre-prep at the school. She we keep up the education pace that has works on John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon education for more than 25 years. She moves to her new post this September. been set.” Brown, and David Cameron. completed an English degree at the The 34-year-old says her plans are Ms Turner graduated with a degree in The 61-year-old plans a 10-year tenure University of Birmingham and then to maintain the “high-standard” that primary education from Northumbria at the university. And after that? He says if went to Westminster College, Oxford, has already been established and then University before completing a masters in he’s then too old to be a player, he’ll take for her PGCE. continue to move the school forward. early year’s education. over as manager of Manchester United. “From now until then I hope they keep Laura Turner has been appointed as the If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your school, local authority or the seat warm for me.” new preparatory school head at Barnard organisation please let us know by emailing [email protected] 20 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 COMMENT

READERS’ WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU @SCHOOLSWEEK [email protected] email tweet WEBSITE REPLY WWW.SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK Hunt urges return to a ‘national girl who is now saddled with the guilt from what was done to ‘Home-grown teachers of Mandarin’ system of levels’ him in her name. I suppose they wanted to make an example of him but that’s a clear case of putting the law ahead of the Mark Mackley, Lancashire girl’s best interests. reply of the week Katharine Carruthers, Institute Frankly I am bored of the politicians pontificating Norwich primary searches for four of Education and promising and generally meddling in education and unqualified teachers basically screwing things up. I want an independent, Your article ‘Wanted: home-grown research based body to determine and monitor education Chris Cowley, address supplied teachers of Mandarin’ of April 27 asks policy for the sake of the children! the question, “How do we create more Perhaps we should also start employing unqualified home-grown teachers of Chinese?” This is not Barbie, address supplied cardiothoracic surgeons, don’t worry about the damage that a question to be considered in the future; a they might cause during their training……..just think about the programme to develop home-grown teachers of Chinese is already being implemented, successfully Is he crazy?! We’ve just got our head around the money that could be saved to bail out future bankers! in schools across the country. new curriculum (some of us) and he wants to change it back! The UCL Institute of Education (IOE) is just I’m not saying I’m necessarily a fan of the new curriculum but Phonics checks could come earlier for reaching the end of its 4th year of Mandarin surely any fool can see that changing things so radically again ‘advanced’ pupils Chinese PGCE provision. Our graduates are snapped up by schools. Our student teachers is a waste of time, hard work and money. Most importantly, include both native and non-native speakers of how on earth can that be good for the children in our schools. Ed Waller, Portsmouth Chinese: yes, those who have learned Chinese at A lack of care if you ask me! If he accepts the need for stability, university (and in some cases at school before leave us be and let us do our jobs! Rant over! Imagine a child being bored with phonics being that) have already realised that teaching Chinese taught for the sake of passing a test! in a school is an attractive career option. From September 2015, there will be 15 in our PGCE If I were education secretary… Toby Why should that poor child be stifled by the test and retest, Mandarin cohort who follow a programme focusing Young slash and burn policies of ill-advised governments? Let them on Chinese pedagogy whilst at IOE, as well as in enjoy learning at their own pace and trust our teachers to do their placement schools. Judith Enright, London the right thing by our children. And the IOE is not alone: for instance, Goldsmiths Teachers will use a mix of measures to encourage reading. has had a flexible PGCE for a number of years, and Edge Hill University offers a Mandarin pathway for Local authorities used to do the things Toby Phonics is only one. There’s been enough ‘do it right’ its secondary foreign languages PGCE. describes. One unanticipated outcome of move to more free hectoring. Of course the growth of Chinese teaching has schools and academies is exactly what you describe: school to be sustainable and development of a ‘different’ leaders are now distracted by further layers of bureaucracy. BDB @BridgetBurke2 language in a school is never going to be easy, Toby may also be interested to know that Tristram Hunt Why didn’t we think of this, testing them even younger but schools where Chinese is really embedded are finding that their GCSE results for Chinese are at proposes peer review instead of Ofsted. put them off school for ever #sighs least as good as, in some cases better, than those for other languages. The Runaway Schoolgirl: This is the True How schools are becoming Your article asks, can a manifesto pledge to Story of My Daughter’s Abduction by Her ‘mini-welfare states’ “increase the number of teachers able to teach Teacher Jeremy Forrest Mandarin” be implemented? The answer is “Yes” Martin Campbell @martincampbell2 and implementation is already well underway. Ella, address supplied Happy that @vicgoddard does this. Sad that he has to.

It was the girl’s mother who seemed to be EBacc reforms fail to boost reply of the week considered the “victim” even at the trial for some bizarre A-level languages reason. Very unhealthy. If anyone was the victim, it would be receives the girl herself and no one else. Keith Smith @kcsmith442 Clearly Forrest breached his trusted position as a teacher That’s because schools are forcing kids to take but I can’t help feeling the whole thing would’ve been better languages to boost Ebacc and Progress8 scores. the collector’s mug! dealt with by sacking him and giving him a suspended sentence or something. It’s not like he’s a danger to the public so sending him to jail doesn’t benefit anyone, least of all the

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ST HILDA’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY TRUST

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES SALARY: LEADERSHIP L20 – L24 (£61,012 TO £67,290) HOURS: FULL TIME

The Governing Bodies of the following schools in Middlesbrough are working together to create The successful candidate will: St Hilda’s Catholic Academy Trust:- • Be a fully qualified accountant • Have sound leadership and excellent interpersonal skills Corpus Christi RC Primary School • Have a successful track record of management experience within a Sacred Heart RC Primary School complex organisation St Alphonsus RC Primary School • Have proven and demonstrable experience of financial expertise St Augustine’s RC Primary School • Be able to uphold the catholic ethos and aims of the Trust St Bernadette’s RC Primary School St Clare’s RC Primary School Applications are invited from prospective candidates in education, public sector or commercial settings St Edward’s RC Primary School who are able to demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification. St Gerard’s RC Primary School St Joseph’s RC Primary School To request an application pack, please contact Jenn Austin via email: [email protected]. St Thomas More RC Primary School Applications must be returned direct to the above email address or by post to Jenn Austin, Avec Trinity Catholic College Partnership, Suite 9 Yarn, Lingfield House, Lingfield Point, Darlington, DL1 1RW.

This exciting new journey will begin on the 1st October 2015 and will see our vision for outstanding Closing Date: Noon Monday 18th May 2015 education go beyond our individual schools in the formation of a collaborative Multi Academy Trust Shortlisting Date: 22nd May 2015 Trust. This unique and innovative job opportunity offers the chance to help shape the future of our Multi Interview Date: 16th June 2015 Academy Trust, working alongside the Head Teachers and the Board of Directors.

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. The post is subject to a successful DBS check and pre-employment checks will be undertaken before an appointment is confirmed.

Initial Teacher Training Professional Tutor roles New school, new building, new opportunities We’re looking for primary and secondary teachers who have experience of delivering outstanding achievement for pupils – Ark All Saints Academy opened in Camberwell in 2013 with particularly in challenging urban schools – to be professional an intake of 120 pupils. As a brand new school that is growing tutors with Ark Teacher Training. year on year, we’re looking to recruit ambitious individuals to join our team in September. Working in a team of Tutors and Curriculum Managers, you will deliver a variety of professional development sessions English, maths, science, music and MFL teachers and lead covering all aspects of teaching and directly support a group teachers needed to join our talented and committed staff team. of trainee teachers and NQTs - helping us build a truly world class teacher development programme. For more information, please go to: For more information please visit: arkschools.org/careers arkallsaintsacademy.org

ATT tutor may.indd 1 06/05/2015 14:42 All Saints May.indd 1 06/05/2015 13:20 22 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 jobs

We require for September 2015: Associate Principal (Curriculum and Standards) Associate Principal (Teaching, Learning, Behaviour)

St Gregory the Great Salary: L17 – L22 Start date: September 2015 Location: Oxford Catholic School

We are looking for two exceptional Associate Principals to become members of our We are looking for leaders who are committed to St Gregory’s ethos of high Core Leadership Team at St Gregory the Great Catholic School. expectation and aspiration for all and who are able to share and communicate our vision to staff, students and parents with passion and integrity. Initially, As the Associate Principal of Curriculum and Standards you will lead on such the successful candidates will have the support of the current postholders in areas as curriculum development, timetabling , standards and achievement, developing their roles. developing the role of subject leaders, and the tracking and analysis of results and data (particularly of groups such as Pupil Premium students). For further information and to apply please visit our website and submit your application by Wednesday 13th May. As the Associate Principal of Teaching, Learning and Behaviour, you will lead on Teaching and Learning and Behaviour for Learning, working with a strong team to If you have any queries regarding your application, please contact Mrs Rosemary develop effective provision across the school. Gelder on 01865 749933 extension 206. or email: [email protected].

Closing Date: Wednesday 13th May at 3.30pm Interview Date: Week commencing 18th May

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of students so all staff are enhanced CRB checked.

Langley is a popular, over-subscribed mainstream 11-16 school, Langley is a popular, over-subscribed mainstream 11-16 school, supporting approximately 1000 children including 70 children supporting approximately 1000 children including 70 children with Statements of SEN. It is also highly regarded for its with Statements of SEN. It is also highly regarded for its friendly atmosphere and students’ outstandingly good behaviour. friendly atmosphere and students’ outstandingly good behaviour. Langley is particularly committed to supporting all staff in their Langley is particularly committed to supporting all staff in their professional development. professional development.

Teacher of English 2nd in English and KS4 Co-ordinator Permanent – for 1 September 2015 Langley School Permanent – for 1 September 2015 + TLR 2c £6,033 Langley School £MPS/UPS [£22,023 - £37,496] Kineton Green Road £MPS/UPS [££22,023 - £37,496] Kineton Green Road Solihull Solihull The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic and B92 7ER We are seeking to appoint an experienced and B92 7ER inspirational teacher of English, committed to facilitating Tel: 0121 706 9771 enthusiastic English teacher to take on the role of Tel: 0121 706 9771 high levels of student engagement and academic Fax: 0121 706 8715 Second in charge of English, with responsibility for Fax: 0121 706 8715 www.langley-sec.solihull.sch.uk progress, creating a stimulating and positive classroom www.langley-sec.solihull.sch.uk coordinating Key Stage 4 English as well as leading ethos and fostering independent and collaborative Literacy across the Curriculum. This is an exciting student-led learning. Applications from NQTs would be opportunity for an aspiring Head of English to gain welcome.The Faculty is dynamic and forward thinking, valuable experience in leadership and management. made up of a combination of experienced and new The faculty is dynamic and forward thinking, made teachers who work together effectively as a team and we up of a combination of experienced and new teachers take a collaborative and innovative approach to planning who work together effectively as a team and we take a and curriculum delivery. collaborative and innovative approach to planning and curriculum delivery. To download a person specification, job description, a letter from our Headteacher and the necessary To download a person specification, job description, application form, please visit the school website, a letter from our Headteacher and the necessary Langley School staff, governors Langley School staff, governors www.langley-sec.solihull.sch.uk or email Julie Hannah application form, please visit the school website, and students are committed and students are committed via [email protected] www.langley-sec.solihull.sch.uk or email Julie Hannah to the safeguarding and to the safeguarding and via [email protected] welfare of students and staff. welfare of students and staff. Please note that Disclosure & Please note that Disclosure & Barring Service clearance at Barring Service clearance at Closing date: Thursday 14 May 2015. the appropriate level will be Closing date: Thursday 14 May 2015 the appropriate level will be Proposed interview date: Thursday 21 May 2015. required for this post. Proposed interview date: Tuesday 19 May 2015 required for this post. SCHOOLSWEEK.CO.UK EDITION 28 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015 23

The Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust (GDFT) are now recruiting in the East Midlands for September 2015:

• Senior Leaders A selection of our current vacancies include: • Middle Leaders • Principal, Queensmead Primary Academy, • 3-19 Teachers (£74,215-£83,892). • SEN Practitioners • Principal, Kingswood Secondary Academy, • NQTs (£81,857-£94,817). • School Direct Trainees • Teacher of Science, Stanground Academy, • Support Staff (MPS/UPS). • Teacher of Maths, City of Derby Academy, GDFT was founded by Sir Barry Day, an outstanding (MPS/UPS). Head, to improve the life chances of young people • Subject Coordinator, Key Stage 1/2 Teacher, in areas of social and economic deprivation and/or Welland Primary Academy. (MPS/UPR plus TLR educational underachievement. This ethos remains 1C) today across the Trust’s 27 primary, secondary and • Second in Business Studies, (MPS/UPR plus TLR special school Academies 2D), Nottingham Academy. • Learning Assistant, (£12,941 - £13,565 pro rata), Queensmead Primary Academy

Visit our website for a full list of vacancies: www.greenwoodacademies.org/vacancies

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. This position is therefore subject to an enhanced disclosure check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Head of Primary Network

Overview of SSAT SSAT (The Schools Network) Ltd is an independent membership organisation dedicated to raising levels of achievement in schools. Our members include primary, secondary, special educational needs schools, academies, and schools from over 13 countries around the world. “The children love coming to the school and the staff SSAT’s membership and professional development programmes help you achieve this balance. really care about them” Educational Consultant 2013 They offer practical, schools-led advice for succeeding at Ofsted and raising attainment levels, but they also have the classic SSAT “extra ingredients”: long-term vision, a pioneering commitment to student leadership, insights into the latest research and innovative practice and, above all, the St Joseph’s Catholic High School challenge that comes from collaborating with other schools and teachers.

The Role Shaggy Calf Lane Slough Berkshire SL2 5HW The Head of Primary Network role is working with a wide range of primary schools and academies and is responsible for building growth of both membership numbers and other products and The Governors of this successful, popular and over-sub- services across SSAT. Your key responsibilities will be delivering the annual business plan, ensuring that financial and delivery quality are maintained and built upon; maintaining and scribed Catholic School wish to appoint building upon the pace of growth of both membership numbers and financial objectives; continuing to develop partnerships which benefit our primary members as well as offering new opportunities for market growth; being responsible for building effective working relationships TEACHER OF PHYSICS with schools, internal colleagues and partners. Salary Negotiable

For more information see www.ssatuk.co.uk/jobs/ We are looking to appoint a highly motivated teacher,

The position is initially a maternity cover for up to 12 months, with a salary able to teach Physics to ‘A’ level. bracket of £55,000 - £60,000. For more information see Applications should include a CV and Covering Letter and be sent via email to [email protected] by Friday 15th May 2015. www.st-josephs.slough.sch.uk/school/vacancies 24 @SCHOOLSWEEK SCHOOLS WEEK FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015

Education through Exploration A World Challenge expedition gives students the opportunity to explore the world and experience different cultures while developing valuable life skills. With an unrivalled range of bespoke educational expeditions to over 40 destinations, we have been expanding minds outside the classroom for over 27 years.

Find out more: T: +44 (0)1494 427600 E: [email protected]

www.world-challenge.co.uk

How to play: Fill in all blank squares School Weeks half page print.indd 1 making sure that each row, column Spot the difference 24/04/2015 14:47 SCHOOLS WEEK Sudoku challenge and 3 by 3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9 to WIN a collector’s ACADEMIES WEEK mug

Last Week’s solutions

Difficulty: 4 6 1 5 9 4 3 2 8 7 6 EASY 9 4 7 5 2 7 4 6 8 1 9 3 5 8 6 3 9 7 5 2 1 4 8 6 9 3 9 8 5 2 6 7 4 1 2 9 3 7 6 4 7 8 1 3 5 9 2 5 2 1 7 4 9 3 6 8 3 7 2 9 4 8 6 3 5 7 1 2 9 4 7 2 8 7 1 5 2 9 4 6 8 3 9 2 5 9 3 2 1 6 8 4 5 7

3 2 4 Difficulty:

5 8 6 EASY What’s the caption? tweet a caption @schoolsweek

Difficulty: 3 9 3 5 2 9 6 1 8 4 7 MEDIUM 4 8 6 7 2 5 3 1 9 6 9 1 7 3 8 4 2 6 5 5 6 8 9 7 1 8 2 5 1 7 3 4 9 6 3 7 1 7 3 6 4 9 5 8 2 6 9 4 8 5 2 1 7 3 1 7 8 2 7 6 1 2 3 8 9 5 4 8 9 2 4 9 5 1 7 6 3 8 5 3 8 4 9 6 7 2 1 2 9 5 7 1 4 9 Solutions: Difficulty: 8 1 3 Next week MEDIUM Spot five differences. First correct entry wins a collector’s Academies Week mug. Tweet a picture of your completed spot the difference using @schoolsweek in the tweet.